Effects of 12-Week Progressive Sandbag Exercise Training on Glycemic Control and Muscle Strength in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Possible Sarcopenia.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at a three-fold increased risk of developing sarcopenia compared to those without diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an intervention involving progressive sandbag exercises is beneficial to patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia in terms of enhancing muscle strength and controlling blood sugar levels. Forty patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia (age > 50 years) were recruited and randomly divided into resistance training and control groups. Resistance exercises for the upper and lower extremities were performed using sandbags (0.5 kg at the beginning to 1 kg after 1 month). Patients in the control group were asked to maintain their usual daily lifestyle. After 12 weeks, the training group were significant better than the control group in terms of glycosylated hemoglobin, the five times sit-to-stand test, skeletal muscle mass and calf circumference, and the physiological domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. In conclusion, these simple home exercises are beneficial to patients with T2DM combined with possible sarcopenia. This approach can assist patients in controlling their levels of glycosylated hemoglobin as well as improve physical fitness and quality of life.

The rocker-soled shoes change the kinematics and muscle contractions of the lower extremity during various functional movement.

While rocker-shaped soles have become popular for running shoes, whether or not this type of shoe benefits other functional movements has rarely been discussed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rocker-soled shoes on lower extremity biomechanics during different exercises. Seventeen healthy university students were recruited. A motion capture analysis system and surface electromyography were used to measure kinematics and muscle activation while walking (10 m), running (10 m), cutting, jumping, and ascending and descending stairs. The results showed that when wearing rocker-soled shoes, greater peak external ankle rotation was present during most exercises. Smaller peak joint angles were observed in hip extension and external rotation when walking, and in ankle dorsiflexion when ascending stairs and jumping. The vastus medialis and vastus lateralis contracted more in most exercises when rocker-soled shoes were worn. However, the biceps femoris and medial gastrocnemius showed less muscle contraction. Wearing rocker-soled shoes during testing movements change the kinematics and muscle contractions of the lower extremity. These findings may provide information for choosing shoes for different exercises or training purposes.